Originally Posted by
Tom Veatch
Jason, check me on this, please. I'm trying to be sure I understand why it's dangerous.
You've got two power cords going to the load, each plugged into separate 120v sockets. One power cord gets unplugged while the other is still plugged into a live circuit. Is that the scenario we're looking at?
If so, that's the same situation as a single power cord with a plug on each end where one end is plugged in and the other just laying out on the floor. In that case, the "hot" prong of the unplugged end is directly connected to the live "hot" and exposed for all the world to see and touch. Really no different than sticking a knife into the hot side of any live receptacle.
Am I understanding it correctly?
Tom, exactly right. That's precisely the danger of just throwin together an extension cord as has been advocated. You need to KNOW that no metal can be touched that will hold a charge. It's terribly improper to suggest that such an idea is safe.
Jason Beam
Sacramento, CA
beamerweb.com